What to Do in Kinmen Island?
Today I want to talk about alternative places to visit in Taiwan: The tunnels of Kinmen. The island next to Xiamen in China is already not the most common tourist destination for foreign travelers.
However, in this blog, I will be even more specific and provide an overview of my favorite underground army fortifications on the island: the Zhaishan Tunnel, the Jiugong Tunnel in Little Kinmen, the Civil Defense Tunnel in Jincheng, and the Shishan Howitzer Front. In case you have never heard of Kinmen Island, follow the link to more information.
The Taiwanese army built these tunnels to protect the island against a potential invasion from China. Today, they are tourist attractions, but to really understand them, you need to know about Kinmen’s unique role in the relationship between Taiwan and China. This article talks about the latest history and answers the question “Why is Kinmen part of Taiwan?”, for example. But for now let us start with the tunnels.
Places to Visit in Kinmen: The Zhaishan Tunnel in Jincheng
Two full infantry divisions spent years working day and night to complete this massive project: The Zhaishan Tunnel. Using basic drills, they carved a 350-meter-long tunnel into solid rock to provide shelter from Chinese artillery fire.
Why did I start this blog with this particular tourist attraction? It is not just the impressive architecture and military history; the acoustics are also incredible. Every year, several classical music concerts are held inside the Zhaishan Tunnel. Therefore, I think if you are traveling to Kinmen, you have to visit this landmark.
Of course, the tunnel was not meant for music events. It was built to hide and protect military boats. Construction began in 1961 and took five years to complete. With a total length of about 357 meters, a width of 11.5 meters, and a height of 8 meters, the tunnel could accommodate over 40 small military vessels.
The Zhaishan Tunnel is located on the western side of Kinmen’s main island. You can see a map of Kinmen in the video above. It does not face the Chinese mainland directly, but it was still within range of artillery.
Still Not Sure What to Do on Kinmen Island? Visit the Jiugong Tunnel in Little Kinmen
At its peak, more than 100,000 soldiers were stationed on Kinmen Island, and they needed constant supplies. This led the Taiwanese military to build larger and more complex tunnels. One of the largest underground fortifications is the Jiugong Tunnel, which stretches nearly 800 meters. It connects five different tunnel networks. No wonder it has over 2,400 positive reviews on Google and is considered one of the most visited landmarks on the island.
This underground harbor could accommodate up to 52 ships. It cuts straight through a hill and has four exits. The ta the military no longer needed it. Honestly, I am not surprised it was abandoned so quickly. With its massive size and constant dampness, the maintenance costs must have been enormous.
The Jiugong Tunnel is located on the western side of Xiao Kinmen (Little Kinmen), the smaller of the two main islands, near the harbor. Supplies were transported here from places like the Zhaishan Tunnel I just mentioned.
Before we go on with the tunnels of Kinmen, I also have more general information about Taiwan and Travel Vlogging. For example. Check my page about Traveling in Taiwan and my other blog posts about Kinmen.
Civil Defense Tunnel in Jincheng — A Must-Visit Site in Kinmen
The Civil Defense Tunnel is one of the most extreme sights on Kinmen Island. Unlike the other tunnels featured earlier in this blog, this one was built to protect the general public. It allowed daily life to continue underground, even during periods of constant artillery shelling from China.
This tunnel network beneath the city of Jincheng stretches 2.3 kilometers and spans several levels. Today, it is only accessible through a guided tour. The tours are free, but pay attention to the schedule. I will tell you the details in my video about my visit to the Jincheng Civil Defense Tunnel in Kinmen.
All entry points are heavily fortified, as these were the most vulnerable spots during attacks. After all, the last thing anyone wanted was to get trapped underground. I still remember heading down the stairs and being struck by the sheer scale of the tunnel. It is massive
Keep in mind that China attempted to invade Kinmen twice, and the island remained under artillery fire until 1979. Because of this, the Taiwanese government required all residents, including students, to undergo military training. This tunnel is a reminder of how the looming threat of attack from the Red Army completely shaped life on Kinmen
The full tour takes about 45 minutes. Along the way, you will pass old air raid shelters, ammunition depots, and pillboxes. If you are planning a trip to Kinmen, make sure this fascinating site is on your list.
Shishan (Mt. Lion) Howitzer Front – The Reason Why Kinmen Still Belongs to Taiwan?
My final recommendation for a must-see site in Kinmen is the Shishan Howitzer Front, built into Mt. Lion. It is the only remaining howitzer base on the island. And, of course, it is constructed as a tunnel. This site is especially famous for its 8-inch howitzer, a powerful artillery piece with a firing range of up to 17 kilometers. It played a significant role in the August 23rd Artillery Battle in 1958.
This military fortification was key to stopping Chinese attempts to retake Kinmen during the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis. At one point, the Red Army managed to land on Dongding Island, which lies just a few kilometers away and is part of Kinmen’s administrative area. Taiwanese forces responded with artillery fire, which proved critical to defending the island. It is no surprise that this monument is now one of the most visited sites in Kinmen.
The army designed this place to accommodate personnel, vehicles, and equipment for an entire infantry battalion. They also served to protect ground forces from artillery shelling. The entire structure spans 508 meters in length, with an average height of 4.6 meters and a width of 3.6 meters, offering quite a spacious underground environment.
Summary: What to Do on Kinmen Island
If you are looking for things to do in Kinmen, these are my top suggestions. First and foremost: Explore the tunnels! They are a unique part of the island’s history and offer a fascinating look into Kinmen’s military past.
That said, I understand not everyone is into tunnels or old fortifications. In that case, check out my blog post “3 Things You Didn’t Know About Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor”, or join me in trying to solve the mystery of the U.S. troops once stationed on Kinmen Island.
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